"
The Commoner.
VOLUME 8, NUMBER 4
4
!,y pointing out thai Lho commandment Thou
HlmlL not Rtcal" In openly and notorlouKly vio
lated In lho Hlock murkol and In tho grain pit
by Uioho who profeKH to believe in lho BIo
and huvo rotmoct for its toadiingH.
If limn permitted I would call al tendon to
lho jidullorallon of food which sometimes in
volve a viohilion of lho commandment against
klllmg as well an tho commandment against
thefl.
Hut law finds ItH foundations in morals, and
back of wrong doing is a false conception of
life. I lmvo not oxhauslod lho field of illustra
tion; 1 have not applied my texl in all tho mul
titude of ways in which it ran be applied, but
I shall conclude tho discussion for this time by
calling attention to tho fundamental conception,
of life that more than anything else is responsi
ble for tlie various forms of larceny to which I
have referred, in our has'e lo make money wo
have cultivated the impression that life is to bo
measured by its income and that men aro wor
thy of respect in proportion as thoy have ac
cumulated. If T wore delivering a religious ad
dress I would insist that lire should bo measured
by Its overflow rather than by its income I
would insist that II is what wo put into tho world
and not what wo take out of it that determines
tho success of a life. Hut for tho present I
shall content myself with presenting an econom
ic standard rather than a roligious one and say
that the only economic rule for accumulation
is that one shall draw from society in propor
tion as ho contributes to 1 ho welfaro of society.
Forms of government, methods of administra
tion and legislation all should have for their
object the securing to each citizen of tho right
ful and legitimate rewards for his toil.. Society
cannot say to a man that ho must as a matter
of roligious duty givo moro to society than ho
takes from society, nor can it without violation
of individual rights say to a man that ho must
givo to society moro than ho gets from society.
Tho citizen owes a certain obligation to tho
government, and tho government owes a certain
obligation to tho citizen, and these obligations
are equally binding. Tho government can have
no favorites; it can not put tho burdens upon
Homo and offer tho rewards to others. The
best government is that which furnishes to each
citizen tho most porrect security against every
arm uplifted for his injury and which, insofar
as it outers upon a cooperative work, distributes
with equity both tho burdens and tho benefits
of that cooperation. Perfection is not to bo
sxpecled in government but tho desiro for per
fection ought to control tho citizen in his civic
work as it controls him in his own
lifo. JoftVrson taught this conception of govern
ment when ho insisted upon tho maxim "equal
rights to all and special privileges to none."
Lincoln had this puvpose of government in mind
whon ho said at Gettysburg that those who as
Bombled thoro should resolvo that "a govern
ment or tho pooplo, by the pcoplo and for tho
people should not perish from tho earth," and
Jackson gave expression to tho samo thought
when ho said in ono of his messages:
"Distinctions in society wilf. always exist
under every just government. Equality of tal
ents, of education or of wealth, cannot bo pro
duced by human institutions. In the full en
joyment of tho girts of Heaven and the fruits
of superior industry, economy and virtue, everv
man is equally entitled to protection by law.
"But whon tho laws undertako to add to
hose natural and just advantages artificial dis
t nctlons--to grant titles, gratuities and exclu
sive privileges to make tho rich richer and
tho potent moro powerful tho humble members
of society tho farmers, mechanics and tho
laborers who have neither tho time nor to
means of securing like favors for themselves
lavo a right to complain of tho injustice of
tholr govornmont." ".iu&iu.q or
Tho "swollen fortunes" against which tho
president justly inveighs, almost Wthoit excep
tion find their source in special privlloBend
governmental favoritism which cga zo mhsl
ice; it is not strange that tho "nun bio i em
hers of society" complain, but it is strange Unt
conscience does not moro often rtStrniVli,
"rich" and the "potent" from asking or such
unfair advantages. b sucu
formTln uT'LZl T. ma! government con-
nnnrni, :,,"",r.. ,ul"' ul-. nearer we shall
and out of season to present an ideal of lifo
that will make eacli individual as anxious to
render faithful servico to society as ho is to
draw an adequate compensation from society. 4
The commandment "Thou shalt not steal" will
not have the weight that it ought to have among
men until it is so construed as to bring the
fooling of guilt and shame to those who draw
from tho common store more than they add in
service. If we can but create a sentiment that
will make men ashamed not only of wrong
doing but of idleness as well and fill them
with an earnest desire to make generous
return to society for all the blessings that society
confers, it will be easier to prevent these varie
ties of larceny which aro so difficult to define
and which tho officers of the law find it hard to
detect and punish.
oooo
hlfll illicit . ! VI 1 nA..IT 1 .
, ",ey A ,';.. "tomwneo 'with Si?. o o
....,. ,, ltll u,u ui-iMir mncq nf
must remain the only basis of rowan B aid tho"
who in tho pulpit, on tho platform throuiri, SS
press and in legislative halls assist n'g the
tiou of public Opinion lnSo? SZ
Washington Letter
Washington, D. C. February 3. New York
has thirty-nine electoral votes. This is the fact
known of all men in politics and reiterated day
after day by the New York World in its daily
editorial of attack on Mr. Bryan. But those
electoral votes have not for many years past
been cast for a real democrat. In 1904, not
withstanding the promises of the World, they
wore denied to Judge Parker and given to
Theodore Roosevelt. In 1900, notwithstanding
tho half-hearted support of tho World which
knifed the democratic ticket, as it always will
knifo any democratic ticket headed by a man
not under the Pulitzer thumb, they were given
to McKiniey. In 189G, with the World frankly
in opposition to the democratic party, Mr. Mc
Kiniey got those votes. A very noisy and a
very mendacious sheet is the World. It talks
much about the thirty-nine electoral votes of
New York, but it seems to be unable to deliver
them to the democratic party, whether it selects,
accepts or bolts the candidate of that party.
The World thunders promises but has never ful
filled one. It menaces treachery, and in that
lino of political endeavor has been singularly
successful.
Somo days ago the World printed an utter
ly false statement concerning a letter Mr. Bryan
was said to have written, declaring that he
would retire from tho presidential canvas i
there was any considerable opposition to him.
A prompt denial was sent to the World, which
it failed to print, but on the contrary devoted a
column and half editorial to discussing the al
leged statement. Yesterday the same paper
printed an alleged poll of members of the New
York assembly, showing as it was intended to
show a large minority against Mr. Bryan. With
two competent New York political writers I
went over tho'list and picked out at least eight
men, credited as anti-Bryan, who are almost
fanatical in their devotion to him. It really
seems as though the headline "Can the Now
York World Toll the Truth" deserves to be kept
standing in tho office of every democratic news
paper. Tho administration has wisely determined
not to antagonize Governor Hughes in New York
hasing its position upon the belief that the gov
ernor of a state is entitled to tho delegation
from that state without federal interference At
least this is what tho spokesmen of the ad
ministration say. Yet ono is inclined to wonder
why the governor of a state possesses politicil
privileges which exceed those of a vice president
or a senator. If the administration thinks it
improper to oppose Mr. Hughes in New York
why should President Roosevelt permit a fitrlit
on Senator Foraker in Ohio, or Senator LaFo
lotto in Wisconsin? It is fair to say that no"
light has been made upon Speaker Cannon in
Illinois, possibly because the administration
forces wero too wise. Cannon is in a nosiHon
to fight back With his control of She house
of representatives, with his absolute ownewhiS
of he Illinois delegation, "Uncle Joo" uf'ta S
position of independence. The time is past when
it appeared that he might bo nominated. There
never was a time when there was a chance of
his election. Honest and square as he is he
stands as a typo of the reactionaries .and n
reactionary will be elected on either Ucket
if ho is properly identified. Secretary Tnf m
bo put forward by the republicans aS their m-o
grossivo candidate; before the cnmnll S P
thoy will bo compelled to IVXuS hVhn J
given anything except mere Hp serv ce to thl
so-called progressive policies of Roosevelt And
whether, as a matter of fact, in his relatitSs
to labor, to tho tariff and to progressive wi
lation generally, he has not shown himif to
bo a leader of the reactionaries.
The willingness with which the friend 0f
Secretary Taft and the secretary himself havo
accepted the Hughes candidacy in New York
and conceded to him the state indicates ihat
it is not their purpose to look for the nomina
tion of Taft on the first ballot, as was tho (,ian
a month ago, but to wait until the favorite ;ong
have been voted for and slip the secretan in
as second choice if one can speak of slipping
in so large and impressive a statesman. Al
ready these votes in the convention are certain.
"to be cast against Taft on the first ballot:
Illinois " 54
Indiana 30
Iowa ' 2 G
New York r 73
Pennsylvania ' c S
Wisconsin 2G
Total 282
This is, of course, by no means a dominant
force in the convention. But it is an important
force because the states which are certain to
be against Taft in the convention, are states
for which the republican and democratic parties
will be wrestling in the election. Pennsylvania,
of course, is an absolutely certain republican
state. But with that one exception, all those in
the anti-Taft column are doubtful. Moreover
there are certain states not enumerated above,
the delegations from which are quite likely to
be either split or hostile to the president's pet.
Ohio itself, with its forty-six electoral votes, is
likely to give only a part of them to Secretary
Taft. Michigan has already elected two anti
Taft delegates, California, notwithstanding tho
influence of the fleet, is in doubt. When the
republican convention comes to meet there will
be in it as pretty a fight for the nomination as
has been seen in any national covention for
twelve years past. Undoubtedly the chances
are strongly in favor of Secretary Taft's nom
ination. He has the incalculable advantage of
having back of him the moral influence of tho
president of the United States, and the immoral
influence of Theodore Roosevelt, who is ablo
to give orders to every 'federal officeholder
throughout the United States. This will help
Secretary Taft in his ambition for the nomina
tion, but it may lead to certain embarrassments
when he comes before the people.
WILLIS J. ABBOT.
OOOO
DR. A. W. RILEY
Dr. A. W. Riley died recently at his homo
in Omaha. Dr. Riley was one of Nebraska's
best beloved citizens, one of its able and pains
taking physicians, one of its noblest men, ono
of its best democrats. A very large number of
men who had the privilege of Dr. Riley's ac
quaintance and who had become the beneficiar
ies of his loving kindness will feel a keen sense
of loss when they learn of the death of this good
man.
OOOO
CRUEL CREATURES
The Columbia (S. C.) State throws a little
light upon the advice being given these days
to the democratic party by republican editors
and politicians when it says: "If we democrats
do not listen to the advice of our friends tho
republicans it is not difficult to see what will
become of us. What is the use of republican
statesmen and republican papers working with
11s day in and day out if we are to learn noth
ing from them? O ye hard hearts, ye cruel
men of the democratic party. Can you see the
good republicans weep their eyes out over your
errors and do nothing to dry their tears!"
OOOO
WnAT ABOUT 1800?
Fighting instructions to delegates to the re
publican national convention the St. Louis
Globe Democrat (rep.) says: "The Globe-Democrat
has always been opposed to the instruction
of delegates before the meeting of a convention.
Ll10 ' an? ?aLe always held that to fetter
delegates in behalf of one candidate, and espe-
S?inSy machine methods, is demoralizingly
VY 1 w II J-j
If memory is not at fault the Globe-Demo-Smi
S? an ae,nt supporter of Mr. McKiniey
Jinn Z ?VlV le PPosition that delega
tions be instructed for the Ohio leader. And
tn whUh 5PDeK Plat the "machine methods"
2L2 llIcVUG Globe-Democrat now objects aro
SmnCiPle?ofi .the machine methods made
famous by the late Mark Hanna
"" ,J.iA-Sjt V